People are still hunting down these Ryobi tools that were discontinued years ago

People are still hunting down these Ryobi tools that were discontinued years ago

Published Sep 12, 2026, 8:30 AM EDT Cory Gunther is a senior author and Newsletter Editor at Valnet, covering cutting-edge tech, Android, and more for How-To Geek. He's covered Android, cars, and technology for over a decade. When he's not reviewing the latest gadget, you can find him off-roading in his Toyota truck, fixing said truck, or doing something outdoors with friends and family. He's covered CES, SEMA, and MWC and reviewed countless phones, TVs, speakers, EVs, e-bikes, and more. Before Valnet, Cory worked for GottaBeMobile. His writing has also appeared on SlashGear, InputMag, and AndroidCentral. He's written over 9,000 articles. Despite all the negative comments and jokes online, Ryobi fans are an enthusiastic and passionate bunch. If you're anything like me, you own a large selection of its brightly colored tools, along with some older blue models. Ryobi releases a little bit of everything, many of which end up discontinued, but those forgotten tools have become collector items, and people are still hunting them down. Over the years, Ryobi's 18V ONE+ platform has grown the most, and the company releases dozens of new tools and accessories each year. Some are better than others, and there's usually a good reason one ends up discontinued. That said, there are a few models that fans everywhere are trying to find. Like an oscillating tool, but better One of the first tools that comes to mind is the Ryobi JobPlus Base, which was a pretty wild idea, even if it was a bit underpowered. At first glance, the JobPlus looks like an oscillating multi-tool, but it's actually multiple tools in one. The Ryobi JobPlus Base was a compact multi-head tool that worked like a reciprocating saw (Sawzall) or an oscillating multi-tool, and you could swap out the head for a right-angle impact driver or drill, a ratchet head, a jigsaw, or even the elusive auto hammer. Yes, this one tool did all of that. Ryobi's JobPlus had a few problems. For one, newer standalone brushless tools offered better power and performance, and finding the attachment heads was quite difficult. That's mainly because this Ryobi tool accepts RIDGID JobMax system head attachments, which buyers didn't expect and could rarely find. Eventually, this $69 tool was discontinued in 2020-2021, and people either loved or hated it. You can still find them online if anyone is interested. And for those unaware, Ryobi is owned by the same company that owns RIDGID, which is Techtronic Industries (TTI) out of China, which is why the two worked together. Ryobi 12V Auto Hammer A compact and helpful tool Credit: Ryobi Next up is the Ryobi 12V Auto Hammer (model JG001), and it's one of those tools I'm constantly on the lookout for, as long as I can find it for a low enough price. Ryobi started making tools back in the 1960s, but things are very different today. One tool that fans all over Reddit constantly mention is the humble Auto Hammer. Just as the name suggests, this compact 12V tool has a magnetic head that holds nails in place, then you aim, pull the trigger, and it hammers for you. Who remembers Ryobi's 12V line? The compact auto hammer delivered 3,600 BPM, but it didn't have enough power or juice for bigger jobs, and it disappeared alongside the 12V platform. I'd love to see Ryobi bring it back as an 18V ONE+ Brushless tool. Its sister company, Milwaukee, makes an excellent M12 Palm Nailer, so it's possible. Ryobi 18V ONE+ Protip Handheld Paint Sprayer Tackle paint like a pro Credit: Ryobi Paint guns and sprayers are readily available from almost every brand these days, and you can get affordable options that do a great job. However, for whatever reason, Ryobi's Protip Handheld sprayer is one that professionals and DIYers everywhere miss. The unique Protip design didn't clog, which is something I can't say about almost every other sprayer I've used. It was also compact, portable, and extremely easy to use. Some Reddit users say the company got sued over the protip design, but I couldn't find enough information about it. Either way, it's a long-lost item that you'll enjoy if you ever spot a used one for sale. Ryobi 18V Hybrid LED Cable Lights String lights that everyone loves While I'd love to buy an Auto Hammer or some obscure tool, the discontinued Ryobi item I'd actually use the most is the 18V Hybrid Cable Lights (P785). I own one of these, but if Ryobi ever brings it back, I'm instantly buying two more sets. The Hybrid Cable Lights can be powered by an 18V battery or a regular extension cord, as they're part of the Hybrid series. The package includes a 30-ft cable and three bright LED pods, each producing around 1,500 lumens. And with a 30-ft to work with, they're great for the garage, camping, or backyard projects. Mine have held up extremely well over the few years I've owned them, as each LED pod has a durable metal handle, built-in hooks to hang them wherever, or wind up the cable, and more. I'd love to get a set to permanently mount it in my attic, or up at my family cabin. Ryobi, please bring this back. I'm asking, and every review on your website is asking, too. Ryobi Garage Door Opener with Battery Backup This would be great in 2026 With smart homes and whole-home battery backup systems being so popular these days, I'd absolutely love to see Ryobi bring back its garage door openers. The Ryobi garage door openers (models GD201 and GD126) had all the features we love and use today. They were a bit ahead of their time. Features include built-in Wi-Fi with smartphone app controls and a spot for your 18V ONE+ battery, ready and waiting as a backup power source during a power outage. Yes please! These were extremely quiet, with a belt-drive 2HP motor, and each side featured a modular design with attachment points for a retractable extension cable, Ryobi fans, Bluetooth speakers, or even a tire inflator accessory. It basically became a hub for multiple tools, all readily accessible from the middle of the garage. The world's largest garage door opener manufacturer, Chamberlain Group, sued Ryobi for patent infringement and won, resulting in the entire line disappearing and sales being blocked until 2023. There's a chance it'll return, but I doubt it. You can find these if you look hard enough These discontinued Ryobi products are gone but not forgotten. Fans on Reddit mention these often, and occasionally find them online. I recently stumbled upon a broken Auto Hammer at a garage sale, and if you look hard enough, you'll find many of these items on eBay, Poshmark, and other sites.

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